Chandhiok & Mahajan

Number of partners: 12

Number of Counsels: 4

Number of lawyers: 60

Languages: English, Hindi, Punjabi, Bengali, Malayalam, Tamil

Firm Overview: 

Chandhiok & Mahajan (formerly Chandhiok & Associates) is the culmination of the belief of its founding partners of providing a multi-disciplinary and solution based approach to their client’s legal needs. Amongst one of the fastest growing firms in India, the firm has distinguished itself as a centre of excellence in a relatively short period of time. The firm’s clients include some of the largest domestic and multinational corporations and financial institutions. The firm has a pan-India presence through associated offices; and works closely with leading global law firms.

Main Areas of Practice:  

Antitrust & Competition: 

C&M is recognised as one of India’s leading competition law practices and a strategic partner in navigating India’s rapidly evolving competition law landscape. The antitrust and competition practice group comprises of lawyers who have been at the forefront of development of competition law in India, having acted in some of the most high profile and ground breaking cases. The firm advises and represents clients on a full suite of competition law enforcement, including, cartels, market dominance; merger control and alliances; interplay of competition law and intellectual property rights; licensing and distribution; judicial reviews; compliance; competition policy; and sector regulation.

Work highlights: 

■ Panasonic in a cartel investigation into dry cell batteries, where Panasonic received the first full immunity from antitrust fines

■ Clariant Chemicals and Huntsman Corporation on their US$20bn merger of equals

■ ICU Medical, Inc. in its US$1bn acquisition of Pfizer’s infusion systems business

■ Warburg Pincus in its acquisition of DuPont’s food safety diagnostics business

■ Yanmar, in its acquisition of Blackstone’s shareholding in International Tractors Ltd

■ General Atlantic Partners and Warburg Pincus in their joint venture with Santander and UniCredit

Aviation:  

C&M advises on a range of issues related to the aviation sector, including, the acquisition and lease of commercial aircrafts and business jets; recovery of aircrafts; and advising and representing commercial carriers in general corporate and contentious matters.

Key Clients: Veling Group, Abric Leasing, Sri Lankan Airlines and Lufthansa Airlines Group.

Corporate, Mergers & Acquisition:  

C&M has rich experience in advising on a range of inbound and domestic transactions, including, joint ventures, acquisitions, mergers and amalgamations. The practice provides advice on structuring of investments; advice on foreign exchange; securities law and other corporate laws; due diligence of the target companies; drafting and review of transaction documents; assistance with closing of the transaction including drafting/ review of closing documents. The firm also advises on contracts with suppliers, distributors and other commercial contracts.

Work highlights:  

■ Indorama Corporation on its acquisition of Tata’s phosphate business

■ Indorama Ventures on its entry into India by way of two strategic acquisitions in the PET business in India leading to the creation of India’s second largest PET manufacturer

■ Thai Plaspac Public Company Limited, in its acquisition of Sunrise Containers Ltd

■ TIC Services Private Limited, an Indian company providing laboratory services in its strategic investment in Intersteller Testing Centre

Disputes (Litigation & Arbitration):  

The firm has an impressive track record in representing domestic and international clients in complex cases. The disputes practice group has expertise in investigations, mediations, arbitrations and litigations.

Work highlights:  

■ Bayer Cropscience in investigations relating to public procurement

■ Bharti Infratel Limited in various arbitrations in respect of its tower business against Reliance, Videocon, etc

■ Emaar MGF in its arbitration with The Statesman over lease of The Statesman House

■ Dalmia Bharat (Cement) in proceedings before the Delhi High Court against Xstrata and Glencore

■ Emaar MGF in proceedings related to attachment of property under Indian foreign exchange laws.

Insolvency & Restructuring: 

C&M advises on a range of issues arising under the recent Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code, 2016. The firm is part of SIG 24, INSOL India – an exclusive group of leading firms engaged in restructuring, turnaround and insolvency activities. The firm routinely advises debtors and creditors of insolvent entities in various proceedings before the National Company Law Tribunal and National Company Law Appellate Tribunal.

Work highlights:  

■ Advised/advising bidders for the companies in insolvency resolution, including Jaypee Infratech Ltd, Assam Company India Ltd, RMS and Best Foods Ltd.

■ Advising promoters of Lanco Infratech Ltd (LITL) and its various group companies on various issues under the Code

■ Advising the resolution professionals in a number of matters including Mandhana Industries Ltd, Ricoh India Limited, Usher Agro Ltd and Calyx Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Environment:  

The firm has represented clients on diverse issues before the National Green Tribunal relating to the environment.

Work highlights:  

■ Represented Bharti Realty with respect to rain water harvesting; and air pollution.

■ Acted for the Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India on the ban on real estate development in the suburb of Noida

■ Representing ASF Insignia SEZ on issues relating to ground water extraction.